Larry Bucshon: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for holding this Special Order tonight to talk about this really important subject on…”

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you for holding this Special Order tonight to talk about this really important subject on behalf of the American people. The opioid abuse disorder and drug addiction have impacted every community in our Nation. The epidemic knows know boundaries; does not discriminate based on age, gender, or socioeconomic status. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 91 American lives are lost every day from an opioid abuse overdose. Unfortunately, drug overdoses in Indiana have increased fivefold over the past decade, and southern Indiana and the Wabash Valley, the area I represent, are bearing the brunt of this devastation. This year in Vigo County, Indiana, population around 108,000 citizens, authorities have responded to over 16 opioid- or heroin- induced overdoses already this year. Vanderburgh County, Indiana, 182,000 citizens, saw 29 deaths from overdose in 2016, which is a fourfold increase from the prior year. This year, the county has seen 25 confirmed heroin- or fentanyl-related overdoses already, but the coroner thinks it may be more. Just this month, we have seen reports of instances of an opioid-based drug called gray death in Evansville, Indiana. We are working here in Congress with our States and local communities to finally bring relief to these families, but a lot of work has to be done.…”